Mumbai, June 25 -- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to take over operations of the state-run Aarey Hospital in Goregaon for a period of 30 years, with an eye on improving healthcare access for tribal residents of the forested Aarey region. On Wednesday, the BMC's improvement committee deliberated on the takeover proposal, which said the state government will hand over the existing hospital building and attached staff quarters to the civic body free-of-cost under a long-term management agreement. The BMC will be responsible for all operational expenses, maintenance, taxes, utility charges, licences and liabilities associated with the facility during the 30-year-period, the proposal said. The improvement committee referred the proposal back to the BMC administration for necessary modifications. The move is in pursuance with the BMC's submissions before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission earlier this year, when it said that administrative formalities for the transfer of Aarey Hospital had largely been completed and that approval from the civic body's improvement committee was being sought under section 90 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888. Elected representatives from the area have long argued that the Aarey area requires direct access to municipal healthcare services. The hospital currently provides only outpatient services....